The nurse is caring for a 4-month-old with a history of ventricular septal defect. The infant is admitted for failure to thrive. What supportive measure would the nurse anticipate in an infant with congestive heart failure?
increased caloric density of Formula
Oxygen therapy to ensure oxygen saturation is > 98%
Sedatives to keep the infant from crying
Emergent surgical correction of the defect
The Correct Answer is A
Infants with congenital heart defects, including VSD, may have increased caloric needs due to the added work of their hearts. Congestive heart failure can lead to poor weight gain and failure to thrive. Therefore, increasing the caloric density of the formula is a common approach to providing the necessary nutrition for growth and development. This can be achieved by using specialized high-calorie infant formulas or fortifying breast milk.
The other options are not the primary supportive measures for an infant with congestive heart failure in this context:
B. Oxygen therapy to ensure oxygen saturation is > 98%: While oxygen therapy may be necessary for infants with congenital heart defects, it is not the primary supportive measure to address failure to thrive. Oxygen therapy primarily aims to ensure adequate oxygenation but does not directly address caloric intake.
C. Sedatives to keep the infant from crying: The use of sedatives is not a typical approach to managing congestive heart failure in infants. Addressing the underlying cause, optimizing nutrition, and providing supportive care are more appropriate strategies.
D. Emergent surgical correction of the defect: Surgical correction of a VSD is typically considered for specific indications, such as significant hemodynamic compromise, but it is not the first-line intervention for all cases of VSD, especially if the primary concern is failure to thrive. Treatment decisions for VSD are made based on the specific clinical presentation and severity of the defect.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["Kawasaki disease"," evidenced by the patient's diagnosis of fever for 6 days"," strawberry tongue"," cervical lymphadenopathy"," and irritability."]
Explanation
Kawasaki disease, evidenced by the patient's diagnosis of fever for 6 days, strawberry tongue, cervical lymphadenopathy, and irritability.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Hypospadias is a congenital condition where the opening of the urethra is located on the underside of the penis instead of the tip. Circumcision is contraindicated in infants with hypospadias because the foreskin may be used for surgical repair in some cases. The urologist may need to use the foreskin tissue for reconstructive surgery to correct the hypospadias, making circumcision inappropriate at this time.
The other options are appropriate:
A. Hepatitis B vaccine: Vaccination is important for the prevention of infectious diseases.
B. Straight catheterization: This may be necessary for medical evaluation or management but should be done as indicated by the medical team.
C. Hearing screening: Hearing screening is a routine evaluation for newborns and infants to identify hearing problems early.
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